Sailor's Blog

Obituary

2012-01-29T12:41:00.003-05:00

Nadia Lamb Mead died on 25 January 2012, at the Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring, on Sunbeam Road in Jacksonville, Florida, with a number of family members and friends offering their support. Nadia was born on March 29, 1925 in Charleston, South Carolina, to Bronson Edmundson Lamb Sr. and Mary Nadia Richardson. She grew-up mostly in Jacksonville. She attended Bartram High School and raced sailboats and powerboats in her teenage years and into her twenties. She attended Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, and graduated with a BS degree in Geology, in 1947. She married William A. Schell also of Jacksonville, in the late 40s. She had two children, Billy and Kathy who survive her. A second marriage to local orthopaedic surgeon Charles A. Mead lasted over 40 years. She was instrumental in several programs that promoted women in sports, including a Title 9 program at a local high school. She also participated in windsurfing, canoeing, water-skiing, tennis, and a number of other sports, throughout her adult years. Over the years she spent quite a bit of time volunteering for the Children's Home of Jacksonville, the Junior League, and other local charitable institutions. She supported wolves, whales and a number of other 'animal rights' programs such as PETA - The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. She also raised and showed dogs, competitively, during the 50s and 60s. She frequently had pets, mostly dogs and cats, over the years starting with a Koala bear in her formative years. In the 90s she supported a life-long dream of creating a local ministry to support disadvantaged youth. This organization continues, today, as Fresh Ministries, headquartered in Jacksonville. The family would very much like to thank Home Instead, for nearly 10 years of excellent support; as well as the medical, nursing and other staff of the Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday the 3rd of February 2012 at the Church of Our Saviour at 12236 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32223. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring at 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32254, in the name of Nadia L. Mead. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage- Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025

Published in the Florida Times-Union from January 29 to January 31, 2012

Nadia was my wonderful mother in-law.

In Transit

2012-01-27T21:53:00.005-05:00

This world is full of things in transit.

Something is "on it's way", in between the point of origin and the final destination.

Package, life, heart, soul...

We all are.

I've been expecting this box of books for a while, which came from a slow boat from the east. Since the original sender's address is no longer valid, if it couldn't make it to this side, it wouldn't be able to go back to that side.

I think one of the most tortured state of mind is; lost in transit, can't go forward, can't go back...

Outside the window

2012-01-27T21:02:00.003-05:00

Life biggest surprise comes from mindfulness.

I was looking out the window for no particular reason, and there she is, going after a squirrel.

Then, it gets even better.....

I think video can explain better than my words.

You can see it in my MobileMe gallery.

Last Christmas Project

2011-12-31T13:24:00.005-05:00

Remember last year Christmas Project - orchid shade house.

It was how it look like a year ago. And here is more about my orchid growing background info; I have been trying to grow orchid for a decade with more failures than I can count. They would grow for a while but eventually get diseases or bugs and then die off. All the orchid experts will tell you, growing orchid is easy, as long as you give them what they want, and what they want is very simply. With hindsight, I understand now I wasn't providing the right environment until last Christmas. BTW, I'm not the kind of grower who can spell all the long names, and tell the the difference between all the different species.

In a year, I witnessed the difference between how to do something right with no effort, great result and how to do something wrong with a lot of efforts but no result. Now, they're so prolific , blooming left and right and multiplied two to three times. Not many investments get this kind of return these days.

If you live in zone 9-10 like me, here's the simple general rules for outdoor orchid;

1. 50% Sun - use the 50% shade cloth

2. Watering - every other day. I set my sprinkler timer on Mon, Wed, Fri for 15 mins each.

3. Fertilizing - growth food every other week, bloom food every month

4. Repotting - every year or when crowded

Here's the not so general tips if you want prolific growth in anything, after providing basic supportive environment;

First thing every morning (OK, first thing after you made your coffee/ tea)

- visit your plants/ kids/ significant others

- watch/ listen/ feel their subtle changes, and try to understand why

- make subtle change on your part to see if it will make any difference

- more subjects you get, more controlled experiments you can do, quicker you understand their subtle difference

Even the raspberry growing next to the shade house is very happy.

It reminds me of evolution and revolution. Under the suitable environment, small change at a time; makes the difference of life and death.

Checked!

2011-12-30T17:51:00.008-05:00

It was something we hoped to do for years, but for whatever reasons, never get to it until yesterday. Riding all the way around the big Lake "Okeechobee" is about 120 miles, too much in one day for me. So, we did it in two days, with minimal load, perfect weather and no major incident. Started from the town Okeechobee, went clockwise, slept in Clewiston - Hoilday Inn Express, back on the dike, then mostly backed up on SR78 (since the dike on this part is not paved, and very bumpy for 3 wheels).

There are a number of locks, gates and pumping stations we need to get off the dike and go around. But, the major obstacle was the 27 mile re-inforcement constructions from Port Mayaca to Pahokee. They said it should be done in a few months. In the mean time, heavy traffic SR441 is the only alternative.

On the dike. You can go miles without seeing anyone. No motor vehicle or horse allowed.

Yes, "sunscreen" is important as the sun come up.

Some water management is required in long stretch of road.

Things to do before and after breakfast, on Christmas day

2011-12-25T15:06:00.004-05:00

This is the "Wolfram|Alpha spikey," constructed with 12 pieces of cut out papers, with 60 faces, 62 vertices and 120 edges, also known as a rhombic hexecontahedron. I considered it as an accomplishment to have put it together before breakfast.

The starting point of our 30 miles ride - Port Mayaca in LOST.

15,000 mile Monkey Prize

2011-12-15T14:27:00.006-05:00

I don't remember ever seeing this Nabisco's Pinwheel Cookies before, but Bill said it was his all time childhood favorite. He only got them from his mom, maybe a couple times a year, when he did something really well... So, it became the requested prize for this year's Monkey Prize.

I topped it with Fresh Market's Chocolate Whoopie Pies as bonus. They're amazingly soft.
In fact, if you ride 5000 mile a year, 3 years in a row, you can almost eat anything, anytime and as much as you want to. And still lose weight. This is the gift for last year, with a dozen ice-cream bar.

Mini Monster and Fish Bowl

2011-12-13T16:49:00.005-05:00

They came out from Justin's newly rebuild kiln, the same day I attended the wonderful wedding of a good friend in Hong Kong. One pair will fly back to be special gift.

Shino fish bowls came out better than I expected, even they were over done with new glazes.
Firing a new kiln with other people's works - hundreds hours of works, take a lot of confidence.

Putting your own works on someone else hands, take a lot of trust.

It makes me think of the marriage I just witnessed. Strong faith on each other, make beautiful things happened.

Kiln, Boat, Piano

2011-10-26T12:18:00.006-04:00

A new KILN imagined, sketched, calculated.

Wood measured, cut and joined.

Brick stacked and skin coated.

Built by a group for one and/or themself.

It seems very much like a BOAT or a PIANO.

A big piece of functional sculpture.

The intention of the craft is the same;

to build an instrument that offers service, and journey, and escape.

The act of firing a wood kiln seems to relate to sailing and to music too - a voyage conducted by wind (very hot wind in this case), with slow, stately passages, or the gusty allegros.

Each journey has it's distinct tempo,

Listen carefully and it will bring you closer to your destination.

(Partly borrowed from "Playing Piano for Pleasure" - Charles Cooke)

No, it's not my kiln, but I'm very glad to be part of the group.

Some part of the group eyeing my lunch.

Happy Birthday and Smile On

2011-10-23T20:47:00.003-04:00

Last night, we went to see Lang Lang play with the Philadelphia Orchestra celebrating the 200th Birthday of Franz Liszt, LIVE to the local theater. In the first hour, Fathom and Sony try to occupy us with Lang's Solo concert recorded from London's Roundhouse earlier this year. Right from the beginning, I kept thinking about, what would Franz think if he is watching this....... I think he will first be very surprise a Chinese kid playing his work, and becoming a piano hero around the world. Then he will get sea sick very soon because of the psychedelic background projections, swing around spot light and the worst - camera angle changing every 3 seconds. However, I hope Franz will woke up to hear the Orchestra playing his first Piano Concerto and the way the rest of the world inspired by it and .... smile on.

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

2011-10-06T21:42:00.004-04:00

iSad, iGrieve, iMourn

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes ... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. ... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. ... They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish."

New Season

2011-10-02T14:04:00.005-04:00

New happening in the Lighthouse Art Center : Justin Lambert became the ceramic department chair a while ago. There're new shelves for green and bisque ware, low table for throwing and furniture re-arrangment for better use of space. What don't change much are the faces in class. I guess that is what happen in a small community, when they find a teacher they like. People keep taking the same class season after season.

Ron is a professional potter in town. He came to explore soda firing after he heard about this new soda kiln. Here he pull a draw ring to check the surface for soda deposition, before we decided to put more soda in.

Unloading this morning, which is 4 days after the firing.

Clean up.

More clean up.

My trade with Ron.

An Afternoon at Boca

2011-09-12T21:18:00.003-04:00

Even it's only an hour south, the vegetation on the beach is different. I like how this hairy plant look silvery and soft, almost like candy.

Their geko is a lot bigger, and not shy.

If you ready need to know, it's a seawall.

Tour of Sebring - labour day weekend

2011-09-05T18:55:00.005-04:00

Notice biker do come in different size, shape, age, color and mood.....
Waiting for start, in the break of light...
The host hotel: Kenilworth Lodge, almost a hundred years old.
All the historic photos in the hall.
Inside the room.

Back to the Mountains

2011-08-29T21:04:00.009-04:00

I was back to the mountains, way earlier than I thought possible. Also had the rare opportunity to photograph the Canadian Rockies with Art Wolfe, Gavriel Jecan, Chris Martin and a very small group of fun fellows.
Art is famous with his outdoor/ wildlife photography. But, what amazed me is his animal sense and human sense. No matter what we ran into; mountain goat, caribou, grizzly, he seems to know how to talk to them/ photography them. No matter what kind of student fellow in the group, he has a way to inspire them.
We traveled some difficult mud trails by horseback for 25km into Tonquin Valley, stayed there for 4 days, encountered rain, snow, ice storm, thunder storm, strong wind and sun. But, everyone was totally immersed in their works, quickly forgot about the cold, and wet toes.

I must have try hundreds of photos of Mount Ramparts, Amethyst Lake and it's surrounding; during sun raise/ sunset, with rocks in front, with flowers, with a boat, with horse, with cowgirl, with reflections, in fog, in cloud, in rain....... some work and some don't. I guess that's how one learn.
We spent the rest of the week around Jasper (Horseshoe lake, Maligne Canyon, Angel Glacier) then back towards Banff, had some magic moments in Moraine lake and lake Louise.

If you're interested to see more of my album, here's the link.

Go see the stunning images of the Rockies by Art in his blog.

Chris also talked about our encounter of the Glizzly.

Out of the Mountains

2011-08-04T10:04:00.003-04:00

For 3 days, we drove from Idaho to Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas and now in Missouri.

Mountains to hills to deserts and flats

Thin air to thick mud

65 F to 95 F

I84 to I80, then I70

Wheat to hay to corn and soy

地闊天空到人車擁擁

Someday, I'm going to stay up in the mountains.

More serious white water

2011-07-31T18:06:00.005-04:00

Years of playing in flat water didn't prepare me for this kind of white water. I'm so used to waves come from the same direction, no matter how big. Rocks in the middle of my path is also new....

Lucky we had Kim showing us the way, Kathleen and Giselle guarding along. Only a few blisters after a very exciting 8 miles run down the main Payette (Banks to Beehive Bend). I was told that there were several class 3 sections. I can see why certain type can get addicted to white water.

White Water

2011-07-30T23:13:00.005-04:00

Here's Kim's summer hide out place along the South Fork Payette, near Boise, Idaho.
These are only two persons kayaking gears......, luck we got plenty of tree around here.
Another river view.
Lunch break after a little white water kayaking in Kelly water park. Then we headed right back to get more wet. Here's a little video of fun. Thanks for all the helps from the experts, Kim, Jeff and Scott, who keep my day fun and safe.

TdA one month

2011-07-28T23:32:00.005-04:00

Still trying to extend the mail hold at home, which has a maximum period of one month. It seems that, I cannot do it online until the time is up, and then have a new request!?!

Yes, we're on our way home, first stop Hood river, Oregon. It's a windsurfer/ kiteboarder/ sailor's heaven, for its reliable strong wind in the Columbia River Gorge. Bill had spent months here windsurfing when he was younger.

Most of the vehicle here has at last a few toys attached to the top/ back/ inside. And they're not limited to windsurfers, kayaks or bicycles..... BTW, one of the best bike trail we find is the Historic Columbia River Highway - the Twin Tunnels Trail between Hood River and Mosier.
Other than pear, cherry and grapes, here's a surprise found. A small lavender field under Mt. Hood. We learn the difference between the French long stem and English sweet one.
I guess wheat doesn't take much water to grow. Most of the east Oregon desert region are endless fields of wheat.

2 weeks in Port Moody, BC

2011-07-28T01:09:00.004-04:00

It was nice to spend time with one's family and eat all the Chinese food one would like to. The only complaint I can come up with, was temperature, which is mostly around 60-70F. Too cold to play in water up in the mountain lake (for me).

For whatever reasons, we never explored this part of the Rocky point's shore line trail before.

Big summer project: restoration of 20 years old back yard fence, which went on and off according to weather.

TdA Day 12-13

2011-07-14T11:37:00.005-04:00

After three nights in Montana, we leave Bozeman on Monday morning, drove west along I90, had a brief ride in Missoula before heading to Coeur d' Alene. Had our first ride in the rain in this trip around this old pine forest and lake.

Then GPS route us through Grand Coulee Dam and Oroville to Canada.

Arrived Port Moody, BC just before dark.

TdA Day 11

2011-07-10T21:18:00.005-04:00

Yellowstone Park 2nd round.

We started early, and went clockwise.

The park was quieter on the east side and there were more wild animals and wild flowers.

Along the Yellowstone river, witness how water can change, one moment clam and smooth, the next moment surge and destructive.

Unlike yesterday, Old Faithful erupted while we drove near by, took us by surprise.

Just a few miles before exiting, the moment we thought we will have apple pie and milkshake at tea time outside the park, a park ranger stop us and told us an RV went off road, tow trucks try to pull it back up, and the road will be close for at least 45 minutes.

Bill pulled out his trike, rode up and down the road, while waiting.

I pulled out my camera, went down to the river,while waiting.

And of course 45 minutes turned into 90 minutes, and miles of traffic.

At least, it make a special ending to the visit.

Here is the link for the Yellowstone album:

TdA Day 10

2011-07-10T00:13:00.004-04:00

We didn't get to ride today. On the other hand, the drive inside Yellowstone National Park was amazing. For a few days, we were worry about the oil spill and the excess snow melt in the Yellowstone river, which we drove along for a few hundred miles and see no oil but very high water level. We picked up a local guy who flipped his raft in the river 16 miles down the entrance of the park. He said the river is exceptionally high, and there are some class 5 situations. There were some crowds inside the park, but not as bad as it could be. Always be able to find parking within a minute. It was the waiting on Old Faithful took over 90 minutes.

TdA Day 9

2011-07-09T00:11:00.003-04:00

Cycled around the Lake of Bemidji early in the morning. Chilly enough to need a thin jacket. Above are Paul Bunyan and blue ox Babe, they are kind famous up here in this fist city on Mississippi.
The bike path doesn't go all the way around, but the bike lane is extra wide here. Plus almost no traffic in this hour, so we feel it's hard to top.

We zipped past North Dakota this afternoon after a oil change in Fargo, managed to duck through some major storms. So far, we managed to find rooms without advance reservation. However, we couldn't find a decent hotel with vacancy for a hundred miles in Montana. So, I just make one in Gardiner, (north entrance of Yellowstone Park) over the weekend.

TdA Day 8

2011-07-07T22:46:00.005-04:00

We planned to do the Minnesota Valley State Trail starting in Shakopee, but found out it was flooded out.

All of the state park and rest stop along the highway are also closed due to the state budget impasse, government shutdown.

So, we went on up to the upper St. Croix River to visit a great potter, Linda Christianson. I never meet her before. But, she is very excited to see us once she saw bikes inside the mini van. Within minutes, we were exchanging stories of crazy things we do. I was trying out her kick wheel and she was trying out my bicycle. She pulled out the map and show us the near by and far away nice routes to go. She is part of the reason why we're here in Bemidji tonight. I felt so lucky to get to know such a creative, generous, wonderful person.
On the other hand, we're not as lucky with the visit with Jeff Oestreich's studio in his Pottery lane. We missed him by 15 seconds.

TdA Day 7

2011-07-06T22:59:00.003-04:00

Another Rails to Trails call Raccoon River Valley Trail near Des Moines, Iowa. I only did 30 miles, going north from Redfield and back. The whole trail is asphalt, mostly trees on both sides, and rolling hills of corn field in the far side. It wasn't hot even in the middle of the day. The goofy part was those little blueberry look like things all over the trail. Now, they are all over my bike and the back of my shirt.

TdA Day 6

2011-07-05T23:13:00.004-04:00

My first ride on rails to trails on the Tunnel hill Trail in Illinois.

Nice part: very shady, tall trees on both sides, quiet, very little traffic.

Strange part: road bike is not design for crushed lime rock surface, I got my very first flat tire after 15 miles. Also, after I went in the tunnel, it was pitch black. I couldn't see anything, but the exit at a distance. I lost my sense of speed and fell over because of going too slow.

Cyclist re-fueling station: "Fountain on Locust" in St. Louis, Mo.

TdA Day 3- 5

2011-07-04T16:38:00.004-04:00

Day 3: Rode the heritage riverways trail in a beautiful college town; Rome, Ga. I hope more town will have this kind of planning in mind.

Day 4/5: Visiting the Hasegawa's family in Paducah, Ky. Did some riding in the "Land between the Lakes" national park. Beat the crowd and the weather in July 4th morning.

Days 1 & 2

2011-07-01T20:51:00.005-04:00

Day 1: Drove from Stuart to Jacksonville (240 miles), then attended two memorial services - one for about 1,000 people inside and outside the Good Shepherd Church, one for a dozen people where we spread Bill's Uncle Bronson's ashes on Julington Creek.

Day 2: Lucky we did some nice cycling on Amelia Island with old oak trees hanging over the road, before we took on the 400 miles on I95, I16 and I75 with mix of rain and traffic jams. We're spending the night in Rome, Ga.

Dinner at Big Bear's BBQ, 2 ribs with fried okra, pinto beans and cornbread. Most tender ribs I have had.

Tour de America

2011-06-29T09:38:00.005-04:00

Tour de France will start running this Saturday for most of July. Instead of sitting in front of a monitor watching, we decided to launch our own "Tour de America" tomorrow. The tour will take us from Florida to Vancouver and back, cover a distance of over 8,000 miles.

Distinctive aspects of this tour:

. it is not a race, we can wear yellow jersey everyday if we want to

. take as much rest days as we want

. motor vehicle assistance is not a shame, but a norm

. try to explore "Rails to Trails" along the way

. No fix route, no pre-determined daily start/ finish town, no crowd in the final podium, no final podium......

Our team manager Mr. P said he would like to call our team, Team Wild Thing (WIL).

PPP Porch Posts Project

2011-06-17T16:39:00.004-04:00

After all the news of floods, tornados, wild-fires, earth quakes, tsunami and such. We decided to do something, before hurricane hit. Notice I didn't say "if". Here, you're looking at a 20 years old rotten cedar post in the porch and a new pressure treated one. Damage mostly done by water and insect.

Some teams work in silence, but not this one. Ned and Bill had such fun time, you can hear them hundreds feet away. Chatting, laughing, banging, hammering, and more laughing....
After 2 days, 3 daily inspections by our helpful neighbor Mike and Rusty the dog, 4 visits to Lowes, lumber yard, and Home depot, 5 posts and 6 trips to take all the tools back to the shop, the team can finally rest.

蚱蜢與機關槍辯論誰輸誰贏？

2011-06-04T22:48:00.004-04:00

初夏亂想:

如果蚱蜢舟再蚱蜢些, 我的白玉矮瓜就滅頂。

Soda Fire at Lighthouse

2011-05-20T14:46:00.006-04:00

It's has been a year since my last soda fire with Ellen. This time we also have Courtney and Grey, and a much bigger kiln at the Lighthouse Art Center. We fired twice in 4 meetings;

1st week: loading

2nd week: firing

3rd week: unload and load

4th week: firing

That means we have our pots ready (bisqued and glazed) before the first week. Loaded and let the pots sit in the kiln for a week. Had Cara turn on the kiln @ 5am the following week, hoping it will reach as least cone 9 by 3pm-6pm meet time. So, we could put the soda ash + baking soda in. Then had Justin/ Courtney turned the gas down/ off @ 9pm/ midnight or 3am. Go home, make more pots, bisqued and glazed, come back the next week, unload and load right away. Repeat....
Put up the brick door after loading.
Second firing opening.
Matt, Justin's new apprentice, came along to help/see the unloading. Clay is not the only thing that tie them together. You got to hear them talk fishing.......
A quick preview of some soda dreams. For more images of my works, please go to my MobileMe Gallery.

Look Inward

2011-04-04T11:20:00.007-04:00

Kiyoshi Hasegawa looking at some works at Florida Craftsmen. He would refuse to look at bad works and insist in leaving at once.

I did some counting and found out this is my 9th NCECA in 11 years. Compared to the early years, I did much less running around town/ conference room, trying to see every exhibition/ pot possible, trying to listen to every lecture/ demo possible. I don't even try to meet up with friends.

I'm contented with watching the simultaneous demo for hours, without worrying I might miss something somewhere else.

I only went to a handful of exhibitions this year. This one - "Don Reitz in Tampa" made the deepest impression. I never understand Don's pot, but I love watching the way he work. It's like watching children play. They're not trying to break the rules to impress anyone. There is no rule in their mind to begin with. Born in 1929, Don is recognized as one of the most important and influential ceramic artists of this century. Here's his Artist Statement which catch my thought.

- "When I work I think a lot. Mostly it's not about that which is in front of me. That action is generally a spontaneous response. I think about who is forming whom at this moment. Lately, due in part to the passing of my dear friends and heroes, I have been thinking about time. It is the greatest gift of all, yet we take it for granted. This gift of time, what shall I do with it? How much time is there? Will I waste it by worrying about the RULES, yesterday's idea, or about laborious, extraneous techniques before I need them? I choose not to.

Over the years, time has allowed me to manipulate my forms and surfaces with some degree of innate intelligence and personal satisfaction. Time, an essential ingredient in firing., hardens and colors the clay, but also gives me time to think and look inward.

Time has enabled me to bring to my work a personal uniqueness, a clarification of purpose. These works serve as a bridge which allows me to move freely from one reality to another. In the interface I am free of convention, opinion, and burdensome history. My work becomes a personal iconography enabling me to visualize and organize my information. My marks are there in the clay, my signature."

I came back from Tampa, lost my voice and my cat, which make me think and look inward.

Simon Levin's workshop

2011-04-03T17:57:00.010-04:00

We started Simon's wood firing workshop 10 days ago by loading the kiln; a strange order in terms of pottery process. He also reversed the "pecking order" by letting the participants to actually do the loading. Mat is very happy be the first to be cramped in the very back. Simon is giving advice and handing him whatever pots he is calling.

I loaded this part, put a few of my plates in the middle shelfs. The whole kiln was loaded and started firing by next day noon.

Then came the demos and lectures.

The excellent exhibition in the Lighthouse Art Center is not exactly part of the workshop, but it does show great examples of wood fire works.

Simon invented this "Hoga -好假' technique. hehe...... the advice is don't try this at home.

But then he did show us something we can try at home.

The kiln is done with firing last Sunday, and then we all went to Tampa, Florida for NCECA while it's cooling. Got back today, open and unload.

Brian shows how to hold a live fish properly. Using Susan's pot.

Karla is happy with her re-fired pot.

Justin's special wadded cup.

All the works lay out from the front to the back of the kiln.

That is what we learned from this firing; some things will be done differently next time.....

Showtime! Title: Shock Wave I, which was suggested by my astrophysicist sister in law.

Of course then, this one is "Comet III".

I'm thinking this pair maybe "Dark Nebula".

"Brown Dwarf"

Last Stop

2011-03-29T21:37:00.003-04:00

It was like a different planet. Those who live here seems that they live for a different reason. Also for a few days, they are powered mostly by alcohol and/or caffein.
The later it get, the more active they become.
This was about a month ago. Carnival at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. My Dad and I went to the Saturday night Parade in Sambadrome. It rained off and on the whole time, but it didn't stop the crowd from going out to enjoy the shows. We sat/stood/danced through 4 sambas schools before heading back to the B&B on the subway way after midnight, dripping wet.

As the saying go:

Parade ticket - $80

Bottle water - $3

Subway ticket - $5.6

Dancing in the rain (with Dad)

Priceless

Buenos Aires

2011-03-21T19:34:00.006-04:00

No books can prepare you enough for foreign land. I guess that's part of the excitement of self-guilded travel. I thought I was well prepared when I handed in my USD$140 of entry fee in BA airport the day we arrived, but the clerk pushed my notes back and said "MARK!". It means my notes has some marks on it, and it's not acceptable.
Put aside Fung Shui , our hotel has the best view of the famous Recoleta cemetery, which has not only rest the graves of some of the most important Argentines, but also home of a lot of street cats.
I am in awe of this flower. It claims it rotates and always face the sun, close at night and open in the morning....... until it has some mechanical problems. I think modern solar farm should have more flower like this.
I might not be the first to say Argentine women is among the most beautiful. They are all elegant, have great legs, great taste and not shy of what they got. BTW, you can do a lot of people watching on the hour long train/ subway ride, which only cost a quarter or two.
Somehow, among the whole street full of choices, we decided to pick this one, which is not cater to tourist. Unlike the others, they don't try to talk you in, neither do they speak English. We went back again after the cruise, they don't even fire up the wood grill on Monday and Tuesday. We're the only table till 9pm.

Talking about no book can tell you what's it really like until you're tasting it, being there, doing it yourself. I found this book when I search for "Wood Firing", in the mind of a potter. It does give you the interesting background of the culture, the link of their land and culinary. Glorious photos of mostly outdoor grilling in setting like Patagonia Mountains. I couldn't taste it then, but it put great expectation in my mind.

Uruguay has more than soccer

2011-03-19T21:43:00.003-04:00

Before this trip, I had no idea Uruguay is border with Brazil and Argentina, the least corrupt in Latin America, and the first to provide every child a free laptop and internet.
From shop signage, architecture and graffitis around the capital Montevideo, you know this is not a very rich nation but you can see Uruguayan is full of creativity and culture, in their unique way.
Excited to see the volume and quality of preservation works going on.
For a moment, I was thinking..... if I give up my shoes.... and my travel pillow...... maybe I can take it home.
Happened to be there on a saturday flea market. Locals and tourists fill up the park quick.

Lucky weather @ Cape Horn and Puerto Madryn

2011-03-18T20:35:00.003-04:00

As a sailor, I was not very proud of the way we get to Cape Horn, Chile. It was equivalent of climbing Mount Everest by helicopter. Also because of "Lucky good weather", we didn't get to experience the usual violence/ extreme sea conditions, which have made this place infamous as sailor's graveyard.
We traveled far on bus to see the wild lives in Puerto Madryn, Patagonia, a popular whale watching destination. We didn't see any whale there, but you can see whale skeleton everywhere. In fact, we saw some other animals on the way, but I was either too slow, too lazy, or my lens not long enough to catch anything worth showing. So, here I borrow someone else's site to show you what I saw (other then the penguin). It almost never rain there, but the day before we arrived, it rained so hard, it washed away the road to see penguins and elephant seals.
The port is also famous as ship graveyard.
Journey back up along the coast. Another day at sea before Uruguay.

Land animals in Ushuaia

2011-03-17T21:48:00.004-04:00

They're everywhere inside Tierra del Fuego National Pack, and you can get very close, unlike those at home.
Both of them came out of nowhere, and begged for petting. We name the white one backpack, he is very interested in the backpack.
This one waiting outside a telephone/ internet cafe.
This one think tax free is boring.....
This is during the 3 hrs turned to 4 hrs "little train ride" - a 100 years old convict's logging project. They kept stopping the train and try to fix the PA system, which was broadcasting the story, in many languages.

Ushuaia, fin del mundo

2011-03-14T13:32:00.007-04:00

Feb. 18th, right after we left Elephant Island, weather forecast from the research stations further south was not optimistic. Not only stronger head wind, but also zero visibility. As we were still more than one day sail to Paradise Bay, the Captain made a tough decision to turn around and head back north to Argentina. It was a surprise and disappointment for most passengers, especially for those who didn't know that about half of the time, this ship couldn't make all the ports because of weather. Here is as we enter the Beagle channel early in the morning 2 days later. Leaving all the weather behind.

Arrived Ushuaia at full moonset. Never thought about will see his mega Yacht - Octopus (blue and white docked on the right) here, at fin del mundo, the end of the world.
We took a catamaran excursion to see the sea lion colonies. Pups are few months old, and cling to the side of big Mama. Of course, every colony has a big Alpha male.
No, they are not penguin. They are cormorant, maybe penguin's close relatives, but they still can fly.
Lovely waterfront property. Especially the dog house!

Elephant Island, Antarctica

2011-03-12T21:12:00.004-05:00

Departing Falkland for Elephant Island, the Infinity encountered 30 feet swells and 40 knots head wind in the Drake Passage. I took a strip of "Zentrip" (A Japanese brand of Meclizine Hydrochloride, actually tastes like bitter tangerine) before I went to bed. I dreamt about Shackleton's ship "Endurance" icebound on my bed......
Here was the forbidding place where Shackleton's crews remained behind, waiting for rescue.
History tells us again, faith is what keeps people alive, especially in the very difficult condition. I used to wonder how much luck was involved for Shackleton to find South Georgia, 800 mile away in a 22 ft open lifeboat under continuous gales and stormy seas, in order to get help. Now I decided it wasn't luck, it was a miracle.

In the last couple of days, seeing all those photos of boats washed ashore in Sendai, people waiting to be rescue. I borrowed a prayer: May all those in Japan be comforted. May all trapped be found. May all injured be helped. May all the frightened be calmed.

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

2011-03-10T20:21:00.006-05:00

On Feb. 16th, after 2 days at sea, we arrived at our first port of call - Port Stanley. It's interesting to set foot on the Island, the British and Argentina fought over, wasting lives and ships almost 30 years ago.
Share with you the two postcards I came up with, after a brief excursion.
Map of our 14 night cruise route on Celebrity Infinity. It happened to be the last chance for people like me to visit Antarctica. Given that

a. my tendency of seasick on small ship in big sea

b. the expense of smaller ship is beyond reach anyway

c. large cruise ships to Antarctica would be banned as of June 2011.

Link to more photos.

七佰碗

2011-02-06T15:10:00.007-05:00

放下心頭七佰碗輕裝南遊冰火國

七佰碗 seven hundred bowls

For the last few months, there were several hundred pounds of clay in my mind all the time.

Thanks to a handful of local potters, who spent hours after hours, weekends after weekends in front of the wheel.

Thanks to over a hundred artists who volunteer their talent and passion.

Thanks for everyone who make these possible.

We together, make this year Empty Bowls Project a new record. I feel like lighten by several hundred pounds. Please come get a bowl and soup if you will be in town.

冰火國 Continents of ice and fire

On the other hand, it doesn't seem that long ago (last April) when I sat in front of the computer, planning for the up coming trip (this Friday). I can still remember arguing with a travel agent that there is an inexpensive direct flight from Miami to Buenos Aires by LAN. Yes, that's the Pandora's box of Internet for traveling. So, I end up becoming the travel agent for my group of 3. This will be my first trip to Argentina, Antarctica and Brazil. When I first read about advice for Carnival in Rio, I didn't believe you really have to book hotel a year in advance. Now, I do. I also couldn't believe Brazil charge American $140 for it's visa, but HK passport holder don't need visa. I still have a hard time to believe AA had cancelled our flight home, and wanted to send us to New York. Seems that the only constant is CHANGE.

OK, the last challenge before take off is how to pack light for the ice and fire.

Last regatta of the year

2010-12-28T22:35:00.002-05:00

It was very cold in terms of Miami's sailing. I had everything I could put on but still got wet and frozen fingers (even I'm on a small power boat, not a sail boat). I have a lot of respect for all of our young sailors (over 600 of them), bearing the cold and strong breeze, and staying out for hours to finish race after race. The forecast says, it's going to warm up, however, the wind is going to die. Seems that we will get busy in the protest room.

Christmas project

2010-12-25T12:06:00.004-05:00

After years of careful planning (aka procrastination), we cleared out a small area in the front yard for this project - "Shade House for Orchid". There are some serious considerations for this kind of project, other than Fung Shui and construction designs. For example, how much resources will be needed after the completion (translation: how many more Orchids, how much money, time and effort to maintain) and willingness to go for permitting process. So far, the project has been under budget (less than $200), on schedule (2 days of work), with no major accident (except digging/breaking into a electric conduit). Other than the shelving and misting system, I just need warmer night temperature.

Notes on Cooking (or Potting)

2010-12-19T19:44:00.004-05:00

Another wood kiln opening yesterday. Even it's in the cold rain, people were still very enthusiastic. It's like boxing day comes early. You never know what you will get until it's opened. I was reading a small book about Cooking. Don't confused it with a cook book, this one has no recipe, only principles which can extent to different disciplines.

Here's Page 8:The Cook's Role, I can see some of the parallel to the Potter's role. So, I think I should share with potters friends.

14. Work from your strength. Don't try to master everything. Become known for a few dishes (forms), perhaps even the near perfection of one. Discover your obsession, then make yourself a slave to it: the mastery of a traditional dish (form), the combination of ingredients (glazes and firings) that have never before met, precision in presentation, devotion to a culinary (ceramic) heritage, the introduction of color (surface, texture) where it never before existed…

15. Aim at mastery of craft, not at art. Know the basics. Repeat and practice, and the sublime will rise at rare, unexpected moments. Be open to capturing art when it comes, but craft is your highest daily priority.

16. Don't TRY to be different. You are different. Cook (Pot) from your gut.

17. Embrace the mundane. Do not bemoan the pedestrian tasks. Find pleasure in peeling a carrot (wedging clay), steaming rice (sieving glaze), searing a steak (pulling handle), prepping (sanding), cleaning (Oh yes, cleaning). Your reward is in the work, not around it. Cooking (Potting) is not about convenience, but the pleasure earned through creation and in giving pleasure to others. Shortcuts are tempting, even necessary from time to time. But if you rely on pre-cut vegetables, pre-marinated meats, and canned sauces, you are not cooking. You are assembling. I guess we had all seem some assembled pots before.

19. Justify your food (works) in at least two ways. A dish (piece of work) must taste (function) good and be seasonal (stylish), or look good (good form) and be healthful (be safe or be inspiring). Having dual objectives raises your standard of execution. Plus when a single purpose falls short, you have provided yourself a safety net.

Elbow above shoulder

2010-12-16T16:13:00.003-05:00

For 6 months, I could hardly raise my left elbow over the shoulder because of a stupid move involving the bicycle. ;> OK,OK, the truth is I was sitting in the front of the mini-van, and try to pull the water bottle out from the bicycle in the back. See, it doesn't sound as cool.

I lost about 30% range of movement mostly to the back and up. Couldn't play swing monkey or windsurf. Sudden movement sent electric shock pain right down the arm. But, most of the time, I was fine with normal daily routine. So, my belief was just take it easy and let it resolve gradually without intervention. No doctor, no medicine, just simple exercises.

Maybe because of the cold weather lately, the shoulder started to cramp up during sleep, losing even more range of motion. Friends advised me to get treatment before it become a frozen shoulder.

Before the first visit to Ron (my acupuncturist), I planned carefully what to wear, so it's easy to show the bare shoulder and have needle inserted. Surprised by his request: "Can you take off your shoes and sock? Just the left one.", I wasn't sure I heard it right. It is the left foot acupuncture points he wants to focus on. He didn't look at or touch my shoulder at all.

During the 2nd visit today (I do remember clean socks!), the shoulder loosen up. Even with hand on the shoulder, the elbow can raise above shoulder. It's like an evil claw has been lifted from me. No more shock pain, even outside range, only dull pain.

It's a pleasure to be able to pull ones shirt off over head with BOTH hands.

Sexy orchid make lousy lovers

2010-12-15T19:19:00.005-05:00

In fact, it's the title of a recent book about nature. It happened that some orchids in the backyard are in boom lately. And here's what the title refers to: From some orchid's perspective, "All is fair in love and cross pollination". They will put on great effort into luring a male insect by undulating with striking colors in the breeze or mimicking the form and smell of female insect, even though one-third of these ancient flowers have no nectar to offer potential pollinators. If a bee encounters this kind of orchid, he will eventually have to leave hungry, nevertheless help spreading the pollen. So, If you've never thought of orchid as a lover, you may want to think again. Exquisite, exotic, elegant but deceiving.

It has been freezing cold a few mornings this week. I have been moving orchid pots in at night, out when it's warm, and in again…… thinking, some lovers can be high maintenance too.

But, who can resist?

You must go where I can not

2010-10-22T21:02:00.002-04:00

"The Secret of Kells" is one of the most beautiful animation I had seen.

Irish poetic , like a dream, simply timeless. Again it proves - in my eyes, simple line drawing can be as powerful as 3D animation. I always prefer this - almost every frame is an Art kind of cartoon.

You must go where I cannot. Pangur Ban, Pangur Ban (name of the cat)

It’s a misty old world,and we are only in it for a short, sharp while.

Didn't you have dream like this before? Try to fight the beast with something ridiculous, like a piece of chalk, or a piece of chocolate. I just love it.

P.S. If you've netflix account, you can watch it online for no extra cost.

現在誰都不敢愛

2010-10-21T20:19:00.002-04:00

幾天前, 自己在千挑萬選後, 拋棄多年的舊愛, 重金選了新Mac情人。

蘋果昨天發布新的MacBook Air

心中即時聽到一峰的聲音 ---

"最怕挑剔篩選好情人　辛苦揀好才驚覺

最稱心的一位終於趕到　現在誰都不敢愛"

只好乖乖的, 不去多看一眼, 但是漂亮稱心的東西, 總是有他們的魔力。

真的, 蘋果又做魔鬼了。

October Backyard Happening

2010-10-09T17:48:00.002-04:00

I found her while waiting for the appearance of river otters.
Anybody likes star fruits??
This reminded me of Rousseau's wild animal in the jungle, but this tiger doesn't look surprised at all.

If you want to stay with your horse

2010-09-25T19:55:00.000-04:00

From the mountains to the coast

2010-09-19T15:35:00.003-04:00

Same as last year, I will take the Trek. (not the trike, which weigh twice as much; I can hardly go up any hill.) Lucky that I begin to like my new saddle - an Adamo, which was advertised for men, but I find it works for women too. The Giro still needs sometime to break in, but I'm happy to take the advice of not wearing a 16 year old helmet anymore.

Here's where we will camp and start the ride a week from today. No! it's not some chateau in Europe. This is the Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina.

Very excited to have the chance to ride the new (since 2008) Point Lookout Trail to see the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains.
If you're interested in all the details of this 7 days .... 450 plus miles on open roads, eight overnight towns and 1000+ cyclists, here's Cycle North Carolina fall ride website.

Now he's six and a half

2010-09-14T21:14:00.003-04:00

Jacob advanced to level 5 over the summer.
First try on his brand new rollerblades.
He loves the TV show "Wipeout".
He keeps telling me how much he likes his "NEW" Sony DC, also using functions I never know it had.

Alchemist

2010-07-04T15:59:00.003-04:00

Here's a few shoots of the last soda fire in the end of May.
I chose to use a long lens to focus on the color and texture of the surface, instead of the form.
If you click on the image, it will give you a fairly large image and nice details.
When sodium carbonate interact with the slip on top of porcelain.
The interviewee on the radio said: .... heat up strontium and copper together, it gives turquoise color......

Yes, I know that. Is he a potter? It turn out he's a different kind of alchemist. Someone who is passionate about color, even it only last for a few second in his case.

Still don't know!? Look up to the sky tonight, when everyone go : ooohs and ahhhs!!!

The same sound you hear in some art shows.

平靜的起點

2010-07-01T20:48:00.002-04:00

早前老友送來這<平靜的起點>。看著蒼翠的山, 柔柔的水, 這裡的人與事, sailor不禁感動不已。

A Self Sustained System, until....

2010-06-30T18:05:00.006-04:00

Another odd job, in the middle of nowhere. A camera and weather station in Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge recording mostly beach erosion, ran for more than 2 years with no incident, until the GSM-cell modem die.
As a non-technical support personnel, I got to wander around the wilderness.
It is not the first time, I encountered this kind of little creature.
But, it's the first time, I saw one play dead.

June Backyard Happening

2010-06-29T22:06:00.003-04:00

First time growing red potato.
One of the best moment, which only happens a few hours each time, a few times a year.
Roses are from the newly planted rose garden, but lychee are from friend's tree. It surprises me every time when someone said they don't like lychee, or not even willing to give it a try.

Meet a new friend

2010-06-06T11:38:00.002-04:00

He was a little shy at the beginning, until we broke open the package of a granola bar, he came right toward ....... the breakfast.
After the ride, I decided Not to have "Bacon"...... at least for today.

Normal sunday ride

2010-05-30T12:14:00.006-04:00

This is our routine for Sunday morning. Get up before sun rise, have a half breakfast (I had egg fry rice this morning.). Then head south on A1A, go on Gomez in Hobe Sound, along the south beach road on Jupiter Island. Since it's early Sunday morning, there is almost no traffic. In fact, there are way more bicycle than car along this route.Another routine is "Bacon (thick & crunchy) & Buttermilk Pancake (Arrowhead Mill) & mix berries" after 30 miles ride. Yum Yum!

Soda fire with Ellen

2010-05-29T21:00:00.002-04:00

Both Ellen and I adore porcelain soda fired works. We are attracted by its subtle, quiet quality of depth and beauty. At the same time, the deposit of soda and directional flashing is kind of like kiss by angel; unpredictable and unrepeatable.
This is our first test firing. We had mixed 5 different kind of slips and half dozen glazes. Most recipes from Gail Nichol's book and Sam Chung's handout. Loaded very loosely.
Instead of spraying soda solution, Justin taught us how to mix 50/50 soda ash with baking soda into soda paste.
Ellen putting 10 lbs of soda paste in around 2300F. Then the kiln is reduced cooling (fire down) to about 1800F before shut down. And it will be opened in 3 days. Stay tune.

又是愁善鳳凰時

2010-05-27T20:48:00.002-04:00

後面是一棵大榕樹, 是的, 是一棵鳥的天堂.
這棵就在街頭

Long weekend in Paducah, KY - Music Festival

2010-05-26T11:10:00.005-04:00

Title of photo : "Album Cover of the Hasegawas" w/ out of town artists.
Name of the album : " Together, we ride"
One. Two. One two three...........

Auntie May May... comes a long way....

Together we ride... ride to the park... ride to the pond... ride to the market...

It's not enough time... to play all the toys... read all the books... sing all my songs...

Sharp

2010-04-18T16:23:00.003-04:00

This year, instead of books, I indulged myself with a couple of very nice trimming tools from the conference. As the box describes; Sharp! The feeling is like handling sushi knife, instead of butter knife.
Bison (far right) is no question the best in the industry, costs 5 times as much as the Dolan (center). However, when your tool is sharper than you (or simply that I'm not very sharp), accident is waiting to happen. I paid a small extra price with my finger today. No biggie, just a small cut.

But, I hate cut on my finger. :-(

The guy who lives across the street

2010-04-11T18:24:00.003-04:00

We have heard his voice for a while, but never have the chance to see him. I believe Handsome lives in the mini pine jungle.

Flying lesson

2010-04-05T21:00:00.003-04:00

I believe this is the safest way to learn to fly; with the Flying master Jeff and a training cable. That way, he can take over and save the plane in an instant, which happened very often in the first try.
6 and a half feet wing span sailplane, only weight 30 oz - Radian
Right! Right!..... No, the other Right! Right. ;-P
Ned is the real brave one, who goes up again, again and again.... Today, he saved himself with his flying instinct during an equipment broke down.

What difference does clay make anyway?

2010-04-05T09:14:00.003-04:00

We started NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) annual conference, last week in Philadelphia in miserable weather, over half of the planes were delayed. A lot of students were driving through blizzards from the north. However, it didn't stop over 5,000 clay/ fire maniacs gather to share.
Wednesday turned to be a perfect day for continuous shuttle loops tour. I did the Museum and Center City route, 10 stops and visited over twenty galleries and exhibitions. Every time I would like to think I've seen just about everything you can do with clay, I got surprised again. I guess that's part of the clay magic.
Shared room with the Hasegawa family in the conference hotel. All the lectures, panel discussions, movies, demos, conference shows were just downstairs. We also fully utilized China Town across the street for breakfast, lunch and dinner. After a day and a half of indoor activities, we ventured out to the Old City route by subway to see the rest of the exhibitions. Feeling very lucky that I didn't miss the Clay Studio, The Works and Snyderman Gallery.
Normally the conference ended with refreshing presentation by a number of emerging artists and closing lecture by a veteran on Saturday morning. John Oles is my favorite young artists this year and Malcolm Davis's lecture just topped everything I've heard. He started clay late in his life after twenty years of being a social activist, struggle for social justice. At age 72, He still tries to answer the haunting question - "What difference does clay make anyway?" Since, it is one of the BIG question in the back of my mind, I feel totally related to every sentence. Also knowing no one can answer one's personal struggle, seeing his journey of transformation through clay gave me enough inspiration and courage to face the question again.
We wandered out to find Rodin Garden along Benjamin Franklin Pky under clear blue sky but end up with the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It turns out to be the biggest treasure in town. After 3 hrs of totally immerse in thousands of year of human cultures from the east and west, I stepped out the west exit and ready to get on bus 38. I looked down and saw Fairmount Park along Schuylkill river, thinking what a way to end the trip. Not until Sunday morning while waiting for the shuttle to the airport, I noticed the peak of cherry blossom right in front of the hotel main entrance, which I only used once during the miserable rain the first day, and missed them all. More photos of the trip click here.

Secret Gardens

2010-03-29T18:54:00.003-04:00

Spent sunday on a local secret gardens tour. My ideal one would be a smaller one, with hidden dark corners, unplanned overgrowth, forgotten broken sculpture laying on it's side, wild animals roaming ....... and a gate so secret, that you don't even know it's a gate.

茶杯裡的山雲雨霧

2010-03-29T15:11:00.009-04:00

Mountain Cloud Rain Mist in a Tea Cup.

Compensation

2010-03-22T21:57:00.004-04:00

I got 2 hours of sleep after the firing night shift, before headed out to the Red Cross Ocean to Lake ride on Sunday morning. It was not the longest, but surely is the toughest ride. Gusty head wind no matter what direction I was headed. Then in the middle of the ride, in the middle of no where, came two dogs want to eat me, chase me, or just play with me, I don't really know. But I felt like if I don't pedal with all my mighty power, they would let me know. It might be only 15 secs, but it felt like 5 mins of Alpine down hill. I remember started thinking ... only if I can out run my predators, and not crash into a tree, or fall into a ditch, or get run over by a car (since I'm on the wrong side of the road now), I will ... HOLD ON, am I dreaming here?? ... now ... this seems too ridiculous. Here comes the yellow one again ... .... ......... ............

OK, I survived that and a few more unreal scenery, like crossing under I-95, and US-1 6 lanes traffic all alone. I decided to take a short cut back home, went to bed, slept the rest of the day and night, had loads of weird dreams.

Firing nights Act 2

2010-03-22T00:53:00.003-04:00

Remember back in Dec., the first time we participated in the Anagama Firing? Apparently, we were bit by the wood fire bug, so here we go again. Same night shifts with Karen.
Justin showed us how to stoke with ease.
The dragon right after being fed.
Of course, we feed ourselves too, with marshmallow.

Windsurfing will never die

2010-03-11T21:38:00.003-05:00

After a few days watching hundred of wind-surfers riding the smooth north wind up and down the Banana River, I begin to believe, or at least stop to worry about the survival of windsurfing as a competitive sport in the states. However, US Sailing does have some catch up work to do. In the Techno 293 North American Championships, also the Youth Olympic Game Qualification event, our boys were not able to qualify the nation for the first Youth Olympic in Singapore this summer.

A crisp day on the beach

2010-03-10T09:32:00.006-05:00

On the way up to Calema Windsurfing's Midwinters, Merritt Island, we stopped by Sebastain Inlet to do an odd job - fixing a beach web cam. The county pay for the camera, so the community can see online how is the weather/ wind/ beach look like, before they pack their fishing gears or surf boards.

Be

2010-03-03T19:56:00.004-05:00

It took a while to customize my new trike "Be". Schwalbe - Kojak "20" front, and 26" rear.

Why they call pedals with clip - clipless? It's my first clipless - Shiman0 PD -M540. I also try them on my up right. It's not as scary as some people want to believe. As long as you're aware that you are committed.
Re-do all the electric tape which was not BLACK.
See the full suspension behind the seat. It's fun to adjust by trial and error.
Of course, got to have cleat shoes - Shimano SH-WM40. They run a bit smaller than normal sizing. I luck out to get the right size online after reading dozens of comments.

So Many Empty Bowls are gone

2010-02-28T20:51:00.003-05:00

Finally, it's over, at least for this year. 400 bowls and 15 gals of soup were gone before noon. Doubled last year's income. It's very hard for me to see all the slow works by so many kind hearts and soft hands, flew out the door in one morning. I couldn't even bear to see how they were picked and handled by so many different hands ... ... I had to turn around from the crowd and just help wrapping. Lucky we got a wonderful photographer friend, Tom. He caught some nice moments of the events. Here's his blog. Our Empty Bowls Project also has a blog, in case I have not advertised in here yet. I hope the efforts can help some empty bowls out there.

First Trike Outing

2010-01-31T15:05:00.005-05:00

After months of extensive research and test rides on different trikes. I finally settled on this one. Not the best handling, not the lightest, not a well known brand, not even new. I found it on Craigslist just 30 mins south. While I was heading down for the test ride, here's what caught my ear from the radio : " Do your research, but don't over search, otherwise, you could miss out opportunity and the time with it." I guess, it doesn't matter they are talking about investment, love or a pair of shoes.

The background music is "Now" by the Carpenter in 40/40 (just released last Oct.), which I first heard on NPR -Fresh Air after today's ride . It is their very last recording before Karen's sudden death, so it's not on any of their previous records. The lyric seems to match today's mood.

Orange Bowl

2010-01-01T20:43:00.004-05:00

3rd year back to Miami between Christmas and New Year for the Orange Bowl Youth Regatta. This time, we have over 700 kids from over 20 countries, which made it the largest youth regatta in the states. We brought the bikes along, and rode along Biscayne Bay before the long day start. As the regatta grows, the competition level rises, and the protest sophisticates.

Here is one of the Judge's comment : It was firmly impressed on me that those who think the Orange Bowl Regatta is a fun regatta for kids, need to be involved with the protest committee the last day of the regatta. This is looked upon by kids, parents and coaches as a big league regatta, and is as cut-throat as they come. Blood and tears were all around the protest table, and high blood pressure and spirits ran high as the day wore on!

It wouldn't be surprising if you get to know how much time, money and effort those parents has put into their children's sail training. Hoping they will grow up an independent and competitive person.

Sailing is a self policing sport. When boats meet, they're supposed to follow the rules to give way. If someone broke a rule, he is supposed to do penalty without others telling him. When there's disagreement, they can protest, and being heard by the Jury. However, when kids act like bad lawyer around protest table, knowingly lying, coaching their witness down to the exact wording, using everything to their own advantage, my heart sink. What have we done to our kids?
As the start of the new year, I wish you all can slow down and have some simple fun.

Opening and Why?

2009-12-21T11:11:00.005-05:00

Got home after a day of unloading, cleaning up, catching up with old friends who came for the opening and sale. Unwrapped the pots, fondling and looking at them for another long time. Knowing I haven't stop smiling since the first pot came out of the kiln, all of a sudden feeling deflated because I realize I can not do this alone. They're not really my own works no matter how much I want to claim. A big part of them is team work. 55 hrs of non-stop stoking, not speaking of the effort of mindful loading (what shape/size/glaze/clay go up/down/back/front/which side face forward at what angle) while having a picture of how hot ash fly in mind, and months of wood gathering and preparation. Plus don't forget hundreds of hours to make the works. No, it doesn't make any economic sense. No, it doesn't look bright, smooth or shiny (PERFECT? like most commercial pots). No, it's not for someone who's in a hurry.

So why? have you ever question why Mom want to make you old fire soup? Why some people want to ride their bike slowly anyway/ everywhere? Why home schooling? Why gardening?

Firing night 2

2009-12-13T17:44:00.004-05:00

12:00 am : 33 hrs into firing. Stoking almost every 10 minutes.

3:00 am : 36 hrs. Crews playing with iPhone Apps in between stoking in the rain.
4:00 am : One day, there will be iPhone Apps replacing the pyrometer, plus plotting graph in real time, telling you exactly when to stoke with alarm. If there's no response, it will proceed to call the other crew to tell him you fell asleep on your shift. Crews dream talk in 37 hrs.

5000 mile monkey prize

2009-12-12T14:18:00.002-05:00

I think it is a great accomplishment to ride 5000 miles in around a year. So, congratulate and keep it up. BTW, the prize including this monkey draw and 4 boxes of Klondike Ice cream. Probably enough calories for another 5000 miles.

Firing night

2009-12-12T13:33:00.002-05:00

4:00 am : 13 hrs into firing. This pyrometer is showing the temperatures inside the kiln. Top number for the front and bottom one for the back.

5:00 am : 14 hrs. Our sleepy stoking companion.
6:00 am : 15 hrs. Dreamy scene of fire and snow. Snow of ash.
7:00 am : 16 hrs. Karen has been up whole night.
8:00 am : 17 hrs. What? Which stick you want?

Loading day

2009-12-10T18:38:00.003-05:00

9:30am : Wow, can we fit all these pots in? Mary the elephant is in there somewhere!

10:30am : Looking good! Let's have lunch, I'm hungry.
1:30pm : Every piece has to sit on a few little ball of clay, so it wouldn't stuck on the shelf. I just learned how to feed wood from the little windows without hitting the pots. I will have some chances to try it out this weekend.
4:30pm : Time to call it a day, even not every pot get in.
Here's the side view of Justin's new Anagama. He didn't like how the last kiln fired, so he built this one in record time.

Why you're doing what you're doing

2009-12-07T21:10:00.006-05:00

Went to a "free lunch and learn session" in Trike shoppe this Sunday. Learned why and how Ian Sims is doing what he is doing. Ian is Greenspeed's founder from Australia. Greenspeed is the leader in the recumbent trike market. From the presentation, you can tell Ian just loves what he's doing. Since he was young, he has been making/ inventing different kind of automobile, side-car, bi/tricycle....... He enjoys technical challenges (it's amazing how much advanced physics is involved in wheels, steering, aerodynamic, structure, even in a little tricycle) and the development of his company.

On the other hand, we also learned about why Trike shoppe owners is doing what they're doing. Do you remembered a story about a blind and a cripple helping each other out? Now, just put them on the tandem trike, of course, the one with good eyes in front, the one with good legs in the back. What a team! They also wish they can help other people with or without disability to have fun, get fit, and more important, find freedom.

After test ride the gt3, Ian recommended a small x3, even they don't have one in stock. So, it will be in my wish list. Someday, I want to cycle around the Island of Ice and Fire down south. It will take weeks if not months, much better to have a real seat than a little saddle.

Killing Mary the Elephant

2009-12-04T19:13:00.006-05:00

I made this pot after reading the horror story of why and how Mary got hanged, after she stepped on her keeper's head. Before that, she was a big star, full of talents in a circus almost a century ago. The black humor was that the chain actually broke.

I fantasize Mary just wouldn't die, even they try to execute her in different ways.

The second chain didn't break, but the crane came down ... ... ...

No gun is big enough .. .. ..

Electrocution! Not enough voltage to tickle ... ... ...

She simple would not touch poisoned food ..... ..... .....

My fantasy ended with her slow death of sadness, missing all the attention from her audiences, losing the special love from her owner.

This very strange image stuck in my mind for a long time.

Mickey and the Wild Thing

2009-11-16T08:35:00.003-05:00

I love my "Where is the wild things are" jersey. It make you want to ride.
Here's Mickey and Wild Thing self portrait. No, Mickey is not fat. It's optical illusion, since he's holding the camera in his right hand.

Riding on razor's edge

2009-10-29T21:08:00.005-04:00

I've been following the development of the Moth class ever since I got my Europe Dinghy 15 years ago, which is a derivative from the class. This summer the class has created a defining moment in the history of sailing. A small group of sailors are no longer just sailing, they are also flying or foiling. They ride the foil with the boat hull above water. Few years ago, only a few superman can barely control the beast. Today, some can even tack without coming off the foils. I imagine it maybe like skating backward in top speed, jump over a high fence and change direction all at the same time without losing a heart beat. According to this month's Sailing World, all of the techniques are only possible with relentless practice (hours on the water everyday). Instincts, reactions, and muscle memory are required to the point the sailor isn't thinking about every change in conditions, freeing his attention to concentrate on tactics. Like Tai Chi; looking at nothing, seeing everything and do as little as possible.

Also, it's best to ride as high as possible without the foil coming out of water. Height means less drag from the foils and a more efficient rig. If it get too high, it crash down. The sensations of flying above the water, of lightness, of pure efficiency, are unmatched anywhere else in the sport (in any sport, I would say, even I've not try it myself).

There is a saying "Path to salvation is narrow and difficult to walk on as a razor's edge." Live here and now. Prevent oneself from dragging through life between future expectation and past disappointment. Maybe without those frictions, one can attend enlightenment and truly be flying.

New toy from Shenzhen

2009-10-29T13:39:00.003-04:00

It arrived a week after order, as Apple promised. Even it spent more time in transit from Shenzhen to Lantau Island and sat there, than from Lantau to Florida. Right, who said being able to track your shipment can reduce anxiety! I love the idea of engraving. Think how romantic it is; something cannot be wiped off without cutting away part of itself, like some memories.
I've to do some advertising for this 5th generation iPod, especially compared to my old hand down 2nd G U2 2005 edition. New Nano is 1/4 the size/ weight and last 4 times longer. It hurts my mind to think about how to cram a video camera, Fm radio, speaker, recorder and a bigger screen in such a small body. When I was young, such gadget only exist in Ngai Hong's sic fi. It's very hard to believe a company can do it so right, so fast, so good, still with a reasonable price tag. You name one!?!
OK! Downside. Every time you upgrade, you will find it no longer compatible with some of the old accessories. New Nano will sing with old dock but it won't charge! That's all right, I will keep my old Pod in my study with the old dock.

摘豆

2009-10-28T08:33:00.005-04:00

媽的後院成了一個有機農場入秋時大有收成

Times with Jacob

2009-10-06T16:05:00.005-04:00

Before CNC, I went up north to spend 3 weeks with my little boy friend J. He still loves trains and cars.
But, the new things are Lego Kranxx / Squidman and the space police.
We can play for hours of made up stories. WALL-E, EVE and all of the robot friends on Axiom often get into trouble. But, with the help of different aliens, space police and sometimes Batman or Thomas , they always manage to save the ship and return to earth.

Won a race

2009-10-02T15:21:00.001-04:00

This is not a race, but I raced with the dark clouds all morning long.
Making record time to Kenansville's brand spanking new indoor stadium
20 minutes before it poured down rain.

Indoor camping

2009-10-02T15:16:00.001-04:00

In Dunn, but we are not done

2009-10-01T19:29:00.001-04:00

I noticed the change of landscape, from steep mountain S curve roads
to rolling hills with soy beans one side & tobacco the other.

My kind of rest stop: Oreos, pb&j, fruit, Gatorade

2009-10-01T11:17:00.000-04:00

Camping in Sanford fairground after 78 miles

2009-09-30T19:20:00.000-04:00

Camping in Thomasville Baptist Children's Home

2009-09-29T16:51:00.001-04:00

Camping in the soccer field

2009-09-28T18:58:00.000-04:00

One grand day

2009-09-27T18:31:00.000-04:00

On two wheels.
Saw three wild turkey.
Don't want to think about fall while going down the mountain.
But, wouldn't forget the five mile straight down.
After six hours, I am in seventh heaven laying on my air metress.

Camping in base ball field

2009-09-27T16:23:00.001-04:00

1st rest stop

2009-09-27T09:47:00.000-04:00